A short history of birds & beasts, for the amusement and instruction of children : adorned with cuts

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SHORT HISTORY

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mm^^ i^mm MM

FOR THE

Amusement and Instruction

OF

CHXLDBEN.

•

ADORNED WITH CUTS,

LONDON :

PRINTED FOR HOULSTON AND SON

65, Paternoster-Rew;
AIND AT WELLINGTON, SALOP.

9

Price One Penny,

FRONTISPIECK

THE LION,

The Lion, the King of all Beasts,
How famous for Courage is he I

And ypu, as the King of Good Boys,
Tp learn your Book diligent be.

SHORT HISTORY

OF

BIRDS Sf BEASTS,

FOR THB

Amusement and Instruction

OF

CHILDREN.

Adorned with Cuts.

WELLINGTON :

Printed by F, Houlston and Son.

Price One Penny,

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THE COCK.

THE Cock doth crow to let you
know^
If you be wise^ what time to lise.

There is no bird treated with so
much cruelty as the Cocky for he^ poor

6

thing, (without the least offence^) is
tied to a stake^ and thrown at by a set of
idle, wicked/ barbarous fellows, till he
is beaten in pieces. This is a custom
ihe very heathens would blush at; and
therefore I hope you, who are a chris-
tian, will never be guilty Of any thing
so inhuman.

1

THE PARROT.

THE Parrot prates he knows not
what.
For all he says is got by rote.

•the Parrot is a chattering bird, he
talks a great deal, yet knows not what
he says; and is therefore no^ unlike
some silly boys, who prate without
thinking, and learn their lesson with-
out looking at their book.

8

THE GUCKOW.

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THE Cuckow tells a merry tale>
Upon the hill and in the vale.

There's the pretty Cuckozv ! This
good-natured bird comes a long journey
once every year to see all his friends,
and sing them a song. And after he
has obliged them with his company about
three months^ he takes his leave^ and
returns to his own country again.

9

THE COW.

EARLY the milkmaid to the mea-
dow hies.
And the red Cow her empty pail sup-
plies.

This is the good-natured Cow to
which we are all so much obliged. She
comes, poor thing! in the morning,
and brings her udder full of n)Uk for

B. B.

oA

10

our breakfast^ and the same at night
for our supper. To her we are in-
debted for our custards^ cheesecakes,
curds and cream, as well as for our
milk, butter, and cheese.

11

THE NIGHTINGALE.

T

HE Nightingale doth sweetly sing^
To welcome in the cheerful
spring.

What a pretty bird the Nightingale
is ! How sweetly she sings ! I could
wish 'twas summer all the year for the
sake of her good corppany.

A*

12

THE LAMB.

THE little Lamh doth skip and
play.
Always merry, dways gay.

See the little Lamb ! how innocent
he looks ! he never did any harm, and
therefore is beloved by every body : but
the fox and the w'^olf, who are always in
mischief, are hated and despised.

\3

THE LION.

THE Lion ranges round the wood.
And makes the lesser beasts his

food :
Thus tyrants on their subjects prey,
And rule witli arbitrary sway.

Though the Lion is such a strong
devouring creature^, yet Daniel was
thrown into a den among several of

14

them, and received no harm. For he
was punished on account of his religion
and virtue, he prayed unto God, and the
Lord delivered him.

15

THE WHALE*

THE IVhale's the monarch of the
main,
(As is the lion of the plain) :
He keeps the lesser fish in awe.
And, tyrant-like, his will's his law.

When the prophet Jonah attempted
to fly over sea from the presence of
the Lord there arose a great storm, and

16

he being cast into the deep, was swal-
lowed by this great fish, in whose belly
he repented sincerely, and prayed unto
Godj wherefore the Lord commanded
the fish, and he swam to shore, and
cast him upon dry land.

I,

M^ gr^ I

17

THE BUTTERFLY,

'^r^HE Butterfly in gaudy dress,
X The worthless coxcomb doth ex*

press.
Who not regarding whence he rose.
Is proud of what? — of his fine clothes.

This gaudy Butterfly owes its being
to a poor worm, and has nothing to boast
of but his fine wings, which perhaps will

18

be lost the first frosty day: and then
his case will be much like the cox-
comb's^ who having lost his fine hat
and bag wig^ has nothing to support him
but a head full of emptiness*

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19

THE CROCODILE.

THE Crocodile, with watery eyes^,
O'er man and every creature cries.
Then feeds with pleasure on his pre/}
So hypocrites their friends betray.

This terrible creature is said to weep
over his prey before he devours it^ as if
he was unwilling to destroy any thing j
bi;t in truth^ that whining is only to

20

bring other creatures to see what's ^he
matter, that Mr. Crocodile may get
another snap for his belly.

21

THE ASS.

THE Jss, tho' mean, will by his bray
Oblige your horse to run away.

Though this animal makes such a
mean figure, yet Sampson, with the
jawbone of an Ass, slew a thousand
men. But then the Lord was with
him, and God Almighty can do any
thing.

THE ANT.

nPHE little Ant no labour spares,
A Wisely preventing future caresi
For ere the hoary frost comes on.
Her stock's laid up, and business done.

This little creature was a great favou-
rite with the wise king /5o/o won, who
much admired her industry and care-

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23

fulness, and recommends her to the
consideration of every idle person.
^ Arise thou sluggard^ go to the Jnt,
consider her ways^ and be wise.'

►4*.

Houlstons, Printers.

Mlliilfifii5¥

BOOK:

PRINTED AND SOLD BY

F. HOULSTON 4- SON,

65y Paternoster-Row^ London ;

and at
WELLINGTON, SALOP.

The HISTORY of SIR RICHARD
WHITTINGTON and HIS CAT/ Price
id.

SCRIPTURE HISTORIES ; from the

Creation of the World to the Death of
Jesus Christ With a Description of St.
PauFs Cathedral, London. Price Id.

WILLIAM and GEORGE. The Rich
Boy and the Poor Boy ; or, A contented
Mind is the best Feast. Price Id.

The WILD.BE AST SHOW. Price Id.

NOTHING at ALL. Price Id.

The FAITHFUL DOG. A Tale. Price
Id.

GLEANINGS from NATURAL HIS-
TORY: for the Amusement and Instruc-
tion of Youth. Price Id;